No further details have been revealed but police, the coastguard and crews from the Royal National Lifesaving Institution (RNLI) are involved in the ongoing incident, according to the Eastbourne Herald.

It was understood "at least three bodies have been discovered on the beach have been discovered on the beach below the cliffs", the paper said.

The coroner's officer is also at the scene.

Police have not revealed whether the victims fell from the cliff or whether their deaths are suspicious.

The stunning site attracts more than 350,000 visitors from all over the world each year.

Locals have reported a number of rock falls in the past year with several chunks of the cliff tumbling into the sea, sparking safety concerns.

Beachy Head is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain at 152 metres above sea level.